11 Brexit promises the government quietly dropped
Leaving aside the £350m for the NHS, Brexit has promised quick and easy trade deals with the EU and the rest of the world, an end to ECJ jurisdiction and free movement, and British control of North Sea fishing. None of this has come to pass. Here are 11 key abandoned claims
1
Promise
Brexit will be easy, and have no downsides
Brexit will be easy, and have no downsides
Reality
David Davis now says: ‘Nobody has ever pretended this will be easy. I have always said this negotiation will be tough, complex and at times confrontational’
2
Promise
Trade talks would take place in parallel with divorce talks
Trade talks would take place in parallel with divorce talks
Reality
Davis caved in on the first day of talks on 19 June 2017
3
Promise
The UK did not need a transition deal and would not be subject to EU rules or budgets during one
The UK did not need a transition deal and would not be subject to EU rules or budgets during one
Reality
The UK will have to abide by all EU rules and regulations including those agreed by members states during the 21-month transition
4
Promise
The transition serves merely to implement the final trade deal, which would be agreed by Brexit day
The transition serves merely to implement the final trade deal, which would be agreed by Brexit day
Reality
The transition period will be used to negotiate (as much as possible) of the future relationship, not to implement a relationship that is already agreed
Many EU capitals believe even the 21-month transition period will not be anywhere near long enough to conclude a comprehensive free trade agreement and will have to be extended.
5
Promise
The transition would be short but open-ended
The transition would be short but open-ended
Reality
The period is fixed at 21 months, with no easy way to extend it
This merely postpones the regulatory cliff edge business is desperate to avoid until December 2020. Even this measure of stability is uncertain, since the transition period could be rescinded if there is not wider agreement this autumn.
6
Promise
The UK would owe no money to the EU after it left in March 2019
The UK would owe no money to the EU after it left in March 2019
Reality
UK told EU in November 2017 that it was ready to honour its share of all financial commitments made while it was a member of the bloc, estimated at €40bn to €45bn, through the transition period
It has since become clear payments will continue until about 2064, and indefinitely if the UK wants to continue to be part of EU agencies and programmes.
7
Promise
A raft of new trade deals would be ready on 29 March 2019
A raft of new trade deals would be ready on 29 March 2019
Reality
Britain has won the right to negotiate deals with third countries during the transition period (not before) but they cannot be implemented until after December 2020
New deals will anyway take a long time to negotiate, especially since few countries are likely to want to sign them until they know the state of the UK’s final relationship with the EU. And while the EU will ask third countries with which it has trade deals to keep Britain in them, there is no certainty they will.
8
Promise
A high-tech customs solution would make frictionless borders simple
A high-tech customs solution would make frictionless borders simple
Reality
Theresa May now concedes customs arrangements are difficult and will take time to set up
May told the Commons liaison committee on 27 March 2018: "I think it is fair to say that, as we get into the detail and as we look at these arrangements, then what becomes clear is that sometimes the timetables that have originally been set are not the timetables that are necessary when you actually start to look at the detail and when you delve into what it really is that you want to be able to achieve."
9
Promise
Free movement would come to an end on 29 March 2019; any EU citizens arriving after that date would be subject to a different immigration regime
Free movement would come to an end on 29 March 2019; any EU citizens arriving after that date would be subject to a different immigration regime
Reality
Free movement continues, the only difference being a registration system for newcomers
Even May's commitment that arrivals after Brexit day would be treated differently was abandoned in the negotiations. EU citizens arriving in Britain before the end of the transition period will be treated as before.
10
Promise
There would be no role for the European court of justice in Britain after Brexit day
There would be no role for the European court of justice in Britain after Brexit day
Reality
The ECJ will have full jurisdiction during the transition period and the ECJ interpretation of relevant civil rights laws are likely to hold thereafter
In addition, the transition agreement makes clear that Britain will be “consulted” but is expected to ensure the “proper implementation and application” of all new draft EU rules and regulations during transition.
11
Promise
Britain will take back control of its fisheries after Brexit
Britain will take back control of its fisheries after Brexit
Reality
The EU will have continued access to UK fishing waters throughout the transition period and has demanded reciprocal access afterwards too as a condition of any future trade deal
11 Brexit promises the government quietly dropped | Politics | The Guardian
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